February is not just a month for valentines, flowers and candle light dinners. It is also a month to bring awareness to heart health.

National Wear Red Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday in February. Gothenburg Health is inviting people to wear red on Friday, February 3 to bring awareness to the fact that heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. Everyone can get involved by wearing red to work, encouraging co-workers to join in, and posting a selfie or video on social media with #wearredday.

Then, on Friday, February 10th, Gothenburg Health invites you to a Know Your Numbers Luncheon. According to the CDC, 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks and strokes each year. Knowing your numbers is an important step toward prevention. Community members are invited to grab a free meal through the Crossroads Café serving line starting at 11:45 a.m. and join cardiac rehabilitation staff in the Larry Gill Board Room for lunch. At noon, a partnering cardiologist will give a brief presentation followed by time to network and socialize with the cardiac rehabilitation staff and other community members interested in heart health.

Another way to love your heart this month is to accept the #HearthMonth wellness challenge to be entered to win one of two $50 Swede Bucks.  Rachel May, Corporate Wellness Director at Gothenburg Health, is encouraging people to participate in 28 heart-friendly activities this month. It can be one a day or multiple activities per day. Some suggestions include going for a walk, reducing sugar, trying a new healthy recipe, mindful meditation, journaling, or practicing gratitude. Simply track your activities for the month and submit them at rmay@gothenburghealth by Wednesday, March 1st.

Because heart disease is preventable, the CDC recommends the ABCS of heart health. A stands for aspirin as it is recommended to take an aspirin as instructed by a health professional. B stands for blood pressure because it is so important to control blood pressure numbers. C stands for cholesterol and is a reminder to manage cholesterol levels, which can be checked at Gothenburg Health through Direct Access Testing (DAT). Finally, S stands for smoking and an urgent message to not smoke.